Florida murder suspect arrested near Wheatland

WHEATLAND – An individual wanted in connection with a double homicide in Lehigh Acres, Fla., was apprehended Thursday evening three miles south of Wheatland.

Stephen D. Tompkins, 24, and a companion, Joycelin Luck, 19, ran out of gas going northbound on U.S. Interstate 25 when State Trooper Charles Bloom stopped to check on the situation.

Bloom noticed the green pickup Tompkins and Luck were driving had Florida license plates and suspected the pair might be the two individuals wanted in Florida based on a “be-on-the-look-out” that had been issued.

Tompkins is accused of killing his 55-year-old mother, Shelley Tompkins, and his 22-year-old brother, Daniel Tompkins.

Luck was reported as a missing person from Orangeburg, S.C., but it is not known if there are any outstanding warrants for her arrest.

According to Wyoming Highway Patrol spokesman Sergeant Stephen Townsend, the couple offered no resistance during the arrest.

“The Platte County Sheriff’s office provided backup to Trooper Bloom,” Townsend said, “and they are being held in the Platte County jail until detectives from Florida arrive and file for extradition.”

Townsend added that he was not aware of any other warrants that may be filed against the couple during their flight from Florida.

Tompkins made an initial appearance in Platte County Circuit Court for probable cause hearing for possession of stolen property. Luck was charged with being an accessory to possession of stolen property.

According to Platte County officials, Tompkins and Luck are being held without bond while waiting for extradition papers.